Showing posts with label cycling. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cycling. Show all posts

Suunto T6 Watch Review

Suunto T6 Watch
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I have raced bikes and triathlons for over 20 years, and used heart rate monitors since the early 1990's when they were 'brand new' to sports. After buying and using at least 6 different systems, most of them Polar-made, I have come to the conclusion that there are two paths worth taking in HRMs- you can keep it simple and buy a low-cost, quality device that gives your average and training time, or you should go high-end and buy a device that you can download to your PC and thoroughly analyze the data. The gear in the middle provides little added value in my opinion.
I have been sponsored by other companies in the past but never by SUUNTO, so this review is completely based on personal experience.
I have used this HRM system for over a year and it is hands-down one of the best training aids I have ever spent money on. It is expensive, but see my comments above. And the software you get coupled with SUUNTO's Olympic-level research into the science of EPOC and physiology make this an invaluable training tool. Why? Because the hardest thing to know when you have an HRM is how hard to train, and what impact the time you spend training at a given intensity level has on your fitness. It's like having a tachometer on an engine but no speedometer or fuel gauge-- you don't know how fast to go or how far to go to get the most out of a tank of gas. EPOC makes a big difference and you'll be surprised at the improvements in your training efficiency. Wasted miles are the bane of a working athlete's existence and this tool helps reduce them.
I've used the T6 with a running pod for nearly two years, and it's at least as accurate as my Garmin Etrex GPS unit. I do take the time to check the calibration every now and then, and even during a race if it's off, it's never off by much and it's consistent so I can mentally compensate for any differences. I've used the shoe pod to pace marathons on roads and ultra-marathons in the woods. I was first aware of the technology in 1999 when a team I was part of was given a similar system to test in the Himalayas during an adventure race- it was OK then, but now it works. We used my T6 and shoe pod during an adventure race in the Great Smokies in 2006 as a navigation aid (not by itself) by measuring distances at night in a major snowstorm. It was probably not perfect but it definitely helped keep us from getting lost. Handheld GPS wouldn't work in that kind of environment of heavy cover and falling snow.
The bike pod for my T6 hasn't been as good a story, but there are new versions out now that appear to have addressed the issues- the biggest one lies in the distance between the pod and the watch- the transmission range was not long enough to make it work well, you had to mount the watch on the bike as opposed to keeping it on your wrist. I believe that the new pods have improved this but I haven't tested them myself.
The other complaint I'd offer is that you have to send the T6 to SUUNTO for software updates. I had a watch go bad early on, and the replacement had an older software revision in it that I have yet to update because of the mail-in requirement-- but I'll do it sometime soon as my training schedule permits. The good news is that updates are free, and you don't really need them unless you want the new features they offer which are usually pretty minor changes. To be fair, last time I checked, Polar requires you to send them an HRM for new batteries, with the SUUNTO gear you can change them all yourself, including the HR strap. The HRM will NOT work in a pool though, and my Polar HRMs are spotty in the water but sometimes work.
I've used my T6 to train for an Ironman triathlon, multiple ultra-distance road and MTB events, a couple of ultra-distance runs, and other events noted above-- with the exception of my newly-acquired power training gear for my bike, my T6 is absolutely the most effective piece of training gear I have ever owned, and I wish I'd had this ten years ago when I was really competitive. It's an amazing piece of gear and I'm a better athlete because of its use- you have to spend some time learning about EPOC and exercise science but the T6 more than pays it back.

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Suunto t6 accurately records how your body performs during exercise, enabling later analysis and planning with Suunto Training Manager. By measuring your exercise load and relating it to your personal fitness level, Suunto t6 tells you if the session improved your condition or not. Suunto t6 provides laboratory accurate information on seven key body parameters including EPOC*. By understanding how your body responds to exercise, you can better plan your own personal training program and, most importantly, monitor its effectiveness. The technical features of the wristop computer, combined with the PC interface developed for more graphical representation of your performance, and our Internet Community, where you can share information with other like-minded athletes from around the world, make Suunto t6 the device of choice for every true athlete and fitness enthusiast. Product Features Time mode; includes functions such as time, date and alarm. In addition to time and date, displays either day, seconds or dual time Alti/Baro mode; displays data on either altitude and related parameters in Alti or weather data such as barometric pressure and temperature in Baro Training mode; stopwatch functions, such as lap time and interval time, and heart rate data. Offers control functions as well as logbook Speed/Distance mode: available for use with an external speed and distance sensor. Displays speed and distance information and offers control functions and alarms Heart rate belt uses error-free ANT transmission technology Compatible with wireless Peripheral Observation Devices (PODs)*) Foot POD, attached to the shoe, measures speed and distance while running. Combined with the heart rate data, it gives you all the info you need from your run - Sold Separately Bike POD combines speed and distance functions with the detailed heart rate analysis of the Suunto t6, making it one of the most advanced training tools ever developed for biking - Sold Separately PC POD is a wireless USB

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Garmin Forerunner 310xt Trainer Wrist Watch Waterproof GPS Multi Sport Garmin Newest Model Review

Garmin Forerunner 310xt Trainer Wrist Watch Waterproof GPS Multi Sport Garmin Newest Model
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
Having been a Garmin 205 user, then 305, then moving to this, I thought it was the coolest thing ever. You can use it out of the box, but you should read the manual, it's worth the effort to learn about the cool features. Being able to take it in the water and having a 20 hour battery life made it worth it to me, but when I figured out that I could use it to guide my way back to where I started when I was on a long bike ride... now that was awesome.
As a nice plus it was able to use the heart rate monitor that came with my 305.

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GARMIN Forerunner 310XT Trainer Wrist Watch Multi SportTime Your SwimThe swim-proof Forerunner 310XT is waterproof to a depth of 50 meters, so you can wear it in the pool or the lake to time your swim. And its slim design and flexible wristband mean Forerunner is easy to wear in any conditions.Transition EffortlesslyWhen you're ready to jump out of the water and onto the bike, Forerunner 310XT moves easily from wrist to bike with the optional quick release and bike mounts, making the transition between sports effortless. Forerunner 310XT categorizes multi sport activities in one workout and can also log transition time in the process, so you can analyze your performance from start to finish.Collect Workout DataForerunner 310XT tracks your position precisely with GPS satellite data and records distance, pace, heart rate (optional), power data (from ANT+TM-enabled third-party power meters) and more. High-sensitivity GPS and HotFixTM satellite prediction mean Forerunner acquires satellites quickly and tracks your movement even near tall buildings or under tree cover. And using innovative ANT+TM wireless technology, Forerunner 310XT connects seamlessly to an optional heart rate monitor, foot pod and cadence sensor.When paired with the optional wireless heart rate monitor, Forerunner 310XT continuously tracks beats per minute and uses heart rate data in advanced calorie computation. Train in a certain heart rate zone to improve fitness and monitor your level of exertion.Run, Sync, Store and ShareOnce you've logged the miles, innovative ANT+TM wireless technology automatically transfers data to your computer when Forerunner is in range. No cables, no hookups. The data's just there, ready for you to analyze, categorize and share through our online community, Garmin Connect or our optional Garmin Training CenterTM software. You can even plan workouts on your computer and then send them to your Forerunner.

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Garmin Edge 705 Bicycle GPS Navigator that Includes Heart Rate Monitor and Speed/Cadence Sensor (Factory Refurbished) Review

Garmin Edge 705 Bicycle GPS Navigator that Includes Heart Rate Monitor and Speed/Cadence Sensor (Factory Refurbished)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
While it's marketed as a dedicated cycling device and it works "ok" there's plenty of room for improvement. Buy this if you have some extra cash around or you want an alternative SRM display.
The different roles of the 705 and how it performs in each:
As a cyclometer- it's great to have a nice large display (I ride with 8 different fields displayed) and lots of flexibility in what gets displayed and where. Any info at all that the computer collects can be displayed- heart beat, zones, power, average power, time to end of ride, altitude, you name it. It can't be beat in this regard. However, changing the fields is not something you can do easily and certainly not on the fly. Also, several of the fields like calories, or WAY off from reality and not useful. Like other Garmin devices, the menu structure of the device is a slightly non-intuitive hierarchy of options. You can't change the display to suit the ride without going through and resetting the whole display. In fact, I end up wasting five minutes or so every time because the menu structure is so non-intuitive that it's very hard to remember how to do even common tasks. Also, you have to manually start and stop the data collection AND remember to reset the data between rides. You will take a long and memorable ride only to discover at the end of it that you didn't hit the start button, or forgot to hit steart after stopping for that muffin and coffee or forgot to hit stop after putting the bike in the car and driving home. It's very frustrating and totally unclear why they did this.
As a mapping device- what should be the device's strong point is just lame, lame, lame. There are several confusing options for loading routes onto the device (gpx, tcr) and no real clear explanation for why you'd choose one over the other. If you want to load a route and have the device guide you as a replacement for a route sheet then you need to use GPX but if you happen to enter the ride near one of the markers other than the start- it will guide you to the start and abandon you rather than guiding you back to where you started. Further, if you are off the path at the start of your ride the unit offers NO guidance as to how to get to the route other than your manually staring at the display and figuring it out for yourself. Also, it has a propensity for asking you to turn around rather than routing you in the same direction you are going. Then, if you deviate or are misplaced due to a poor GPS signal the unit will reroute and you'll loose all your entered points. Why the hell would anyone on a bike on a recreational ride want to turn around and reride a route you've already been on? This happens a lot when I'm out and decide to go back home, the unit will turn me around and then put me back on a main road- Not at all what you'd want to do on a ride. I could go on... In short, the routing is just the default stuff you see on a car or walking GPS and not at all customized to be useful for typical biking scenarios.
The Garmin connect and PC based software is OK but I still end up using bikely or something similar to plan routes. The garmin stuff just isn't setup to help cyclists. The auto uploads are nice but Linux isn't supported by garmin- why I can't begin to imagine since their site otherwise works fine in Linux and Firefox.
Lets see other minor good and bad points-
good: it's rugged and seemingly water resistant if not proof. The bike mount is easy to use and stable. the battery lasts a good while
bad: the rubber on the joystick button shreds and falls off. there's no indication about battery status (in time for instance) until it's dead and shuts down. Most of the displays other than the map and cyclometer are useless. routing is tough and not cycling specific. The display is not easily readable at night or dusk. the buttons on the unit seem poorly chosen and not helpful to the typical cycling tasks.
It's nice to have a unit which works reliably and can be moved from bike to bike but it would be nice if Garmin actually spent some time making this very expensive unit suitable for cyclists.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Garmin Edge 705 Bicycle GPS Navigator that Includes Heart Rate Monitor and Speed/Cadence Sensor (Factory Refurbished)

Garmin 010-N0555-30 Refurbished Edge 705 GPS Bundle

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Bella Russo 17" Laptop Double Gusset Brief. Review

Bella Russo 17 Laptop Double Gusset Brief.
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
We bought this briefcase as graduation gift. When it arrived we checked it out and found it to be excellent in appearance and construction.

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Tony Perotti Italy's Green collection is crafted from glove-soft yet ultra-durable Italian full-grain shrunken calfskin that is hand-dyed using an eco-friendly vegetable tanning process.

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Contour GPS Full HD Helmet Camera Review

Contour GPS Full HD Helmet Camera
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
OVERVIEW:
I own the Contour GPS (C-GPS = 1080p) and the Contour HD (C-HD = 720p); and my main use is for snowboarding in conditions varying from blue bird sunny days to snowy flat light days.
VIDEO QUALITY: (5 out of 5)
The Contour GPS (C-GPS) features some much needed improvements over its 720p predecessor, especially when capturing footage in low light conditions. Where the C-HD's video quality suffered on overcast/snowy days, the C-GPS excels. Subtle details in terrain (fresh vs tracked snow, etc.) are now clearly visible. Overall, HD video quality and light metering is greatly improved compared to the C-HD.
Also there is a new convenient switch onboard, where you can switch between two programmed video settings (i.e. everyday outdoor vs. dusk) for when the weather and lighting conditions change.
PORTABILITY / EASE OF USE: (5 out of 5)
The C-GPS is the same size and shape as the original C-HD helmet cam, with the exception of the record toggle switch which now sits a few millimeters higher for easier operation. A nice improvement especially when wearing gloves/mitts. Turn the camera on, and two red laser sights light up to aid in lens alignment. Three lights on the unit - a battery light, memory card light, and GPS light - help identify whether your battery is dead, memory is full, or if a GPS signal lock has been acquired.
Heads up on memory card compatibility. The C-GPS is finicky about what brand, class, and size of micro sdhc cards used; and how you format your cards. For example, I bought a 32gb Class 4 Kingston card off newegg that works like a charm; however neither my 8gb Class 6 Transcend or my 8gb Class 2 Sandisk work. Also, my Kingston card only works if formatted by the camera (not my computer).
DESIGN QUALITY: (4 out of 5)
As with previous Contour helmet cams, the design remains virtually unchanged. The body is made of aluminum and plastic. The camera attaches to various plastic mounts (two flat mounts and one goggle mount included inside the package) using Contour's "T-rail system".
My only complaint is the T-rails are made of plastic, rather than aluminum. The plastic T-rails are a weak link and are susceptible to breaking. I wish Contour would have upgraded the T-rail material to aluminum on the C-GPS, but hopefully they will get it right on the next one.
BATTERY LIFE: (3 out of 5)
C-GPS battery life is significantly less than the C-HD. When recording on a fully-charged battery, the C-HD lasts about twice as long as the C-GPS. This is likely attributed to the more demanding 1080p bitrate as well as the GPS function. In my application I typically record approximately 60 minutes worth of footage before the battery runs out on my C-GPS; while the C-HD records approximately 110 minutes worth of footage on a full charge. Note these figures are based on extreme operating conditions where freezing temperatures greatly affect battery life. In any event, buy extra batteries... you'll be glad you did.
Another battery-related gripe is the mechanism which keeps the battery in place. The previous Contour models used a locking latch to keep the battery from accidentally popping out; however the new model uses a new 'hook' mechanism which can be cumbersome. This is discussed in greater detail on Contour's support forums.
GPS: (4 out of 5)
GPS accuracy is questionable, but I think it's a nice feature and a step in the right direction for helmet cams. I typically get a GPS lock within 3-minutes of power up, even on overcast or snowy days. The light on the front of the camera blinks green as a satellite lock is being acquired, and turns solid green within a few minutes once GPS signal has been acquired.
STORYTELLER SOFTWARE: (2 out of 5)
Prior to the latest software update, I would've rated Contour's Storyteller Software a 1/5. Their software is buggy and unstable, particularly on mac machines. However, the latest update (as of this review) addresses stability issues; and tackles one of the biggest gripes in the Contour community - accessibility of the GPS information without having to upload to their servers. Suffice to say, their software team has some major catching up to do with their hardware team.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
Overall, I recommend seriously considering this product if you're in the market for a helmet cam to capture HD footage while snowboarding. This model raises the bar for future helmet cams and I am glad that I upgraded from my old C-HD. I may have a few minor gripes, but IMHO, it is currently the best HD Helmet Cam offering in terms of video quality, portability, and features at its price point.


Click Here to see more reviews about: Contour GPS Full HD Helmet Camera

The hands-free Contour GPS Camera records cliff drops, road gaps, base jumps, and surf breaks in HD, and its built-in GPS unit tracks your location, speed, and altitude. The Contour GPS allows you to view your footage with the interactive map. Post your epic footage that afternoon using the one-click editing and Contour's Storyteller software.Product Features
Frame rates: [30fps] 1080p, 960p, 720p; [60fps] 720p; [Still] 3, 5, 10, 30, 60 secs
Resolutions: [1080p] 1920 x 1080; [960p] 1280 x 960; [720p] 1280 x 720; [5mp still] 2592 x 1944
Formats: [Video] H.264 (.mov); [Audio] AAC audio
Sensor: 5 Mega-pixel CMOS image sensor
Field of View: [960p, 720p, photo] 135 degrees; [1080p] 110 degrees
Mic type: Internal, AAC audio compression
Memory Card: [Included] 2GB; [Removable, Sold Separately] 32GB MicroSD
Recommended Use: Filming, tracking your distance, sharing the gnar
Compatibility: [Storyteller App] Mac 10.5, 10.6; Windows XP, Vista 7
Battery: Rechargeable lithium battery (up to three hours of record time)
Chargeable: USB to computer (included), wall charger (sold separately)
Dimensions: [L x W x H] 95mm x 34m x 58mm (3.7in x 1.3in x 2.3in)
Manufacturer Warranty: 180 Days


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EDGE 500 TEAM GARMIN BUNDLE WITH PREMIUM SOFT STRAP HRM SPEED CADENCE SENSOR Review

EDGE 500 TEAM GARMIN BUNDLE WITH PREMIUM SOFT STRAP HRM SPEED CADENCE SENSOR
Average Reviews:

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This is a simple, yet effective GPS unit that comes with both heart rate monitor and cadence/speed sensors, all in one box. It doesn't have map mode like Edge 705, however I'm skeptical of usability of a map on 705's small and low resolution screen anyhow (if you want a map, get something like Oregon series GPS).
From my short experience with it, it works great. Setup was a breeze. Turned it on, and it detected both heart rate monitor and cadence/speed sensors all on its own. Setting it up on a bike was a breeze. In about 15-ish minutes I was ready for a test ride. The screen was nice and readable. I'll probably customize it a bit later. Uploading ride data to strava.com was a breeze. All in all, I can warmly recommend this unit.
Be careful when ordering this unit though, since there are three versions and item descriptions are not too clear on what comes in the box for some of them:
- the cheapest one has only the GPS unit, it does not include heart rate monitor and speed/cadence sensors
- standard bundle with heart rate monitor and speed/cadence sensor
- team Garmin bundle with premium heart rate monitor and speed/cadence sensor (this one)
To be sure which one you'll get, it's best to compare part number with part numbers listed on Garmin's web site (click on "versions" tab on Edge 500 page).
Standard Edge bike mount (part number 010-10725-00) *will not* fit Edge 500. Description of standard Edge bike mount will not tell you that. You need Edge 500 specific bike mount (called "quarter turn bike mount", part number 010-11430-00). These two bike mounts are two completely different and incompatible systems.
Two bike mounts are included in the box with the GPS unit. If you only need two, you don't need to order additional one. If you do need additional bike mounts, additional bike mounts are packaged two in a single box too. Item description for bike mount will not tell you this either (read reviews for quarter turn mount, it's mentioned there).

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Take your riding to the next level with Garmin's Edge 500 Bundle Team Edition cyclo-computer with Heart-Rate Monitor and Cadence. It straps to your stem or bars for easy viewing, and you'll never get lost again with its easy-to-use Global Positioning System (GPS) keeping you on course. The heart-rate monitor and wireless cadence give you the information needed to get the most out of every workout. Plus, this water-resistant wonder tracks how far you've gone and lets you race against a pre-recorded course to gauge your training progress. Also, the included Garmin Training Center software allows you to create workouts, download courses, keep detailed records of your rides, and much more. And, the Edge 500 boasts a customizable display and a rechargeable Lithium-ion battery that powers the 500 for up to 18 hours per charge. To accurately and conveniently track your training progress, this device is compatible with the Garmin Connect program. This device boasts ANT+ technology to facilitate the collection and automatic transfer of sensor data for monitoring information anywhere, at anytime. This technology also allows the device to communicate with other ANT+ products, such as speed sensors, heart-rate monitors, power meters, foot pods that track running/walking progress and more. Key Features include: *Speed *Distance *Average Speed *Maximum Speed *Cadence *Heart Rate *Calories Burned *Records 1,000 Laps *Auto Pause *Auto Lap *Power Meter Compatible

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Garmin Forerunner 310XT Waterproof Running GPS With USB ANT Stick Review

Garmin Forerunner 310XT Waterproof Running GPS With USB ANT Stick
Average Reviews:

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I felt compelled to write a review, because I am disturbed with what some other reviewers are publishing. This is the best watch of it's kind I have owned, and as long as a purchaser understands what it does, and it's limitations, I think they will be more than satisfied. It may be that this watch will not meet their needs, but it should not be a cause to deliver a poor rating.
I have owned the Forerunner 305, the 201, the Timex GPS and a Polar, so I have years of experience. Since I do triathlons, I was most looking forward to the waterproof controls, and 20 hour battery. The charger is a bit funky design, but for me it seems to work just fine. My battery has been lasting at least 16 hours--I haven't tested it further before recharging. One issue that I had with the 305 also, though: the watch should be TURNED OFF while you are charging. If not, as soon as you disconnect the charger, since the watch is ON, it will start "discharging" (as it does normally while it is on. I have been caught several times with a depleted battery on my 305 because of this quirk--I think the watches should be programmed to automatically turn themselves off when the charger is connected).
I have used the new watch swimming, biking and running and hiking, and I am pleased with the performance for each sport. One reviewer pointed out that there should be a "swim" mode--I agree, but I think Garmin may have avoided that mode because the GPS does not work well in the water. Several reviewers complained about that, however Garmin does write on their website AND in their manual that the GPS does not work well in the water (I don't know that I would blame that on Garmin--probably the technology is just not there yet--besides, GPS signals do not penetrate water.) In fact, I did NOT get an accurate GPS distance reading for open water swimming, but it did map my COURSE correctly, albeit with a lot of zig-zags (I know I can't swim in a straight line, but I am not THAT bad).
The biking portion works great. The Garmin matches pretty closely with the distance measured on my bike computer (I don't have the Garmin bike sensor--I want that and the quick-release mount for my next birthday). Of course it also tracks speed, altitude, heart rate, etc. (I used the heart monitor strap from my 305).
Running works well also, basically same as biking although I do set up the display screens differently.
Other, useful new features I have noticed:
1. The watch locks onto satellites more quickly than my 305
2. The watch vibrates, although I wonder how this affects battery life. For instance it vibrates every lap (if I set it) so I know I have completed an autolap without having to look at the watch.
3. The software is more refined (lots of small fixes. For instance the settings function lets me know what sport mode I am in--although I think this could still be made easier and less confusing. And the time zone can be put on automatic--I always wondered why they couldn't do this before--the watch knows where it is for gosh sakes. And there are extra custom screens if you want them--statistic hounds take note.)
4. Wireless data upload. Very nice! Their new "Garmin Connect" site is also pretty useful, and the data can be uploaded directly to the Internet.
5. The 310XT is not much smaller or lighter than the 305 (according to the specs), but it FEELS MUCH smaller and lighter.
6. There is a progress bar for the battery charging. I would like to be able to see how much time is LEFT in my battery--I wish Garmin would add this.
In summary, I think this is far and away the best GPS watch Garmin has made, and is especially appropriate for triathletes (despite the swimming issue). You DO need to become accustomed to using the watch. Although I do not think it is hard to use, you SHOULD read the manual. At least you do not have to keep RE-reading the manual like I do for some other gadgets. I do think this watch is way overpriced, but I am a gadget freak, and I'm sure the price will come down over time, like it did for the 305 (which is a great deal, now, btw, if you don't need a 20 hour battery-life and a waterproof stopwatch :)

Click Here to see more reviews about: Garmin Forerunner 310XT Waterproof Running GPS With USB ANT Stick

Finally, a GPS-enabled training device that isn't afraid of the water. The rugged Forerunner 310XT is the triathlete's indispensable training tool--a GPS-enabled, swim-proof trainer that tracks bike and run data and sends it wirelessly to your computer. This multi-sport device has up to 20 hours of battery life, tracks distance, pace and heart rate (optional), and goes from wrist to bike in seconds.
Time Your Swim The swim-proof Forerunner 310XT is waterproof to a depth of 50 meters, so you can wear it in the pool or the lake to time your swim. And its slim design and flexible wristband mean Forerunner is easy to wear in any conditions.
Transition Effortlessly When you're ready to jump out of the water and onto the bike, Forerunner 310XT moves easily from wrist to bike with the optional quick release and bike mounts, making the transition between sports effortless. Forerunner 310XT categorizes multisport activities in one workout and can also log transition time in the process, so you can analyze your performance from start to finish.
Collect Workout Data Forerunner 310XT tracks your position precisely with GPS satellite data and records distance, pace, heart rate (optional), power data (from ANT+-enabled third-party power meters) and more. High-sensitivity GPS and HotFix satellite prediction mean Forerunner acquires satellites quickly and tracks your movement even near tall buildings or under tree cover. And using innovative ANT+ wireless technology, Forerunner 310XT connects seamlessly to an optional heart rate monitor, foot pod and cadence sensor.
When paired with the optional wireless heart rate monitor, Forerunner 310XT continuously tracks beats per minute and uses heart rate data in advanced calorie computation. Train in a certain heart rate zone to improve fitness and monitor your level of exertion.
Run, Sync, Store and Share Once you've logged the miles, innovative ANT+ wireless technology automatically transfers data to your computer when Forerunner is in range. No cables, no hookups. The data's just there, ready for you to analyze, categorize and share through our online community, Garmin Connect or our optional Garmin Training Center software. You can even plan workouts on your computer and then send them to your Forerunner.
What's in the Box Forerunner 310XT, USB ANT stick, AC charger, Charging clip, Owner's manual on disk, Quick start guide

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Sony ICF-M88B S2 Sports Bicycle Radio with Cycle Computer and Digital AM/FM Tuning Review

Sony ICF-M88B S2 Sports Bicycle Radio with Cycle Computer and Digital AM/FM Tuning
Average Reviews:

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This radio is almost exactly what I was looking for. Its water resistant design is sleek and reassuring. The speaker is loud enough for normal riding conditions. The backlit LCD and digital tuning are very nice. The bike mount is well designed - it is very simple to quickly detach the radio to take it with you. The FM antenna forms a hard rigid handle on the bottom (not shown in picture) which is nice for carrying.
That said, I have a few complaints. First, the FM reception is pretty poor compared to my car radio (in the same locations). I haven't tried working with the AM band much, so I can't say if it is any better. I would be willing to endure a larger model or more batteries to get better reception.
Second, there's no line-in jack for attaching an mp3 player. This might have been a conscious decision to preserve the water resistant design, but I would have liked to see it just the same. Of course, if you get a radio transmitter for your mp3 player, then you're golden.
Third, $50 is expensive for a portable radio. I would have been willing to forgo the bike computer functions for a less expensive bike mount radio.
Fourth, the wire going to the wheel sensor is kind of short and there's no way to extend it short of splicing the wire.

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Includes: handle bar mount & speed sensor. Sony ICF-M88B S2 Sports FM/AM Bicycle Radio Walkman(R) - Make your bike riding more enjoyable with this AM/FM radio that is specifically designed for bicycles! In addition to the radio, it has a built-in bicycle computer. It keeps track of your current speed in MPH or KPH, total distance ridden, average speed, maximum speed, & more!Powered by 2 AA batteries (not included) Unit Weight -10.1 oz. (including battery) Cycle Computer Functions Clock Display - shows a 12 hour setting Speed Meter - measures your current speed in either MPH or KPH. Odometer - measures total distance ridden since installation of computer. Trip Distance Meter - measures total distance ridden since last computer reset. Great for measuring miles per ride, week, etc. Ride Time - measures total time ridden since last computer reset. Great for measuring time ridden for day, week, etc. Average Speed - calculates average speed ridden since last computer reset. Great for fitness training applications. Maximum Speed - measures the maximum speed reached since last computer reset. Sleep Mode - automatically powers down the unit to conserve battery life. Freeze Mode Wheel Size Setting - adjusts for accuracy based on your bicycles specific wheel size.

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Garmin Edge 705 Cycle Computer w/ Heart Rate Monitor, Europe maps - Europe maps ONLY on this unit Review

Garmin Edge 705 Cycle Computer w/ Heart Rate Monitor, Europe maps - Europe maps ONLY on this unit
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
As I've read in other reviews, the Edge 705 base map is better than the 305 but no where close to what you would expect from an all-in GPS unit. If you want to obtain map detail on your PC and you GPS unit, don't buy the micro SD card but rather purchase the DVD version. I've confirmed from Garmin that if you purchase the DVD version, map detail can be viewed on your PC and the 705. All you need to do is copy the DVD to a micro sd card which you can insert into the unit.
As some of you may have found out, the micro sd card that comes with map detail can not be loaded on your PC which means you won't see the detail from your rides once you download them to the GTC software. Hope this saves some people money as well as miminizes the frustration.

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Garmin Edge 705 GPS-enabled cycle computer. Includes bike mounts and HRM. Waterproof (IPX7) and 15 hours battery life. Share your data wirelessly with other Edge 705 users. Pre-loaded basemaps of Europe.

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Suunto G6 Pro Wrist-Top Personal Golf Computer Watch Review

Suunto G6 Pro Wrist-Top Personal Golf Computer Watch
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Nice watch. Really helps to help diagnose a consistent swing. I don't think it will really tell me what is WRONG with my swing but it will help me try to reproduce the same swing each time. Takes a bit of playing aorund to figure it out...the instructions are ok but pretty minimal. And ... it can always help you keep score. BTW software is NOT vista compatible (at least not for my 64 bit version)

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Reduce your handicap, monitor your shots as you play, and simplify the scorekeeping process all in one with the Suunto G6 Pro personal golf instrument. The Suunto G6 Pro contains an internal sensor that measures various aspects of your swing in different situations. In practice mode, you can record information on the tempo, rhythm, backswing length, and speed of each swing, and then observe the average and deviation values of the different measurements. You can then progress to test mode, in which you play a series of shots with the same club and check your consistency index straight from the wrist-top computer. This gives you an idea of your golfing muscle memory, and how often your swing strays from its "ideal" mechanics. Use the feedback to consistently repeat your best shots while weeding out the weaker ones.
Once you return to the course with your improved skills, the G6 Pro takes care of the details while you play by keeping score. Choose from among four different game types--scratch, Stableford, stroke play, or match--and let the G6 Pro record both your and your opponents' scores. Not only does it let you focus exclusively on your game, but it also eliminates the need for messy paperwork. At the same time, the G6 Pro monitors your shots as you play, and then analyzes your round afterward via the Suunto Golf Manager PC software (includes USB cable), which identifies the areas of your game that need improvement. The G6 Pro registers such statistical data as fairways hit, GIRs, up and downs, sand saves, putts, and penalties, and then displays the results and history of played games.
Looking to calculate your handicap? The G6 Pro does that, too, by storing your favorite 10 courses in its memory and determining your handicap for a given course. And if your playing partners also have official handicaps, you can use the G6 to update the leaders during a round based on the players' numbers. It's the perfect tool for serious players who don't want to mess with math during a round. You can also change the names of players and courses directly on the wrist-top computer.
Additional features include a traditional watch mode with an alarm, calendar, and stopwatch; a menu-based user interface similar to the ones used by many mobile phones; water-resistance to 100 feet; a user-replaceable battery, and a comfortable black leather wrist strap. The G6 Pro, which weighs 0.12 pounds, is backed by a two-year warranty on parts and labor.
What's in the Box G6 Pro personal golf instrument, battery, software CD-ROM, USB cable, user's manual.

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Garmin Oregon 550 Waterproof Hiking GPS Review

Garmin Oregon 550 Waterproof Hiking GPS
Average Reviews:

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I recently just bought 2 new Garmin GPS units to upgrade my aging Garmin Legend (Original Model). I was hesitant to purchase the Oregon due to the mediocre reviews on Amazon, but ultimately I decided to take a chance.
First I bought the Garmin Dakota 20, and I really liked it. Small, Battery Efficient, Easy to Use, and Paperless Geocaching using the touchscreen. Good stuff. I called my friend who likes to have the latest and greatest, and he told me he had purchased the Oregon 400t when it first came out last year. I took a drive to his house to compare it to my new Dakota 20... Very similar in capabilities, only smaller and less resolution on the screen. After seeing his unit, and how well it ran I found myself craving the higher resolution screen, and 3D Terrain features, so I went up and bought another one, this one, the Garmin Oregon 550. I decided against buying the Oregon 550t because the 550 had a little deeper discount than the "t" version. Ultimately I chose to purchase the 550 since it was around $60 off retail, VS. only $1 less than retail on the 550t. I figured I could add the TOPO maps later. Plus I had also just purchased the Dakota 20, and the $160 difference in cost was sounding pretty good. I have completely busted my mad money for now.
Ultimately I find this unit to be right in line with all of the other Oregon models software wise... it works exactly the same way. So go and read some reviews on the other Oregon models sine this unit doesn't have many reviews yet. It is VERY similar in capabilities, but this one has a few added goodies.. 3 Axis Compass + 3.2MP GEOTagging Camera (Good stuff)...
Another observation between the new 550 and 550t models... Garmin's specs say the these models have equivalent storage, but in fact this is not the case, the 850MB seen in the specs relates to the free space after taking into account the included maps. In reality it is more like 550 = 1GB, 550t=4GB internal memory. Mostly a non-issue since both have a Micro-SD slot behind the battery, which happily accepted an inexpensive 4GB SDHC card, and since SDHC was supported I would expect you could add an even larger one.
Like the other reviewer stated I noticed that the roads on Garmin's 2008 TOPO maps are slightly off.. this is easily recognizable if you load a driving map, calculate a route, and then disable the driving map, you will see the driving route is not exactly on the road. To me this is all the more reason to just get the 550 model (at this point) without the TOPO maps. You can add them later once the road data is fixed. On second thought, the TOPO features themselves on the 2008 map seem fine, only the road data is a little off, so if you are using the maps as they are intended this is probably a non-issue. At the time I just felt like the 550 was a better bargain, only $90 more than the Dakota 20 I had just purchased, which also was still at the full $350 retail price since it is still a brand new model.
The only other glitch was with the Compass calibration, which went haywire for a moment, but resolved itself after a reset, and hasn't happened since. We'll see if it becomes an issue.. but I doubt it. The reset was very fast as this unit boots up very quickly.
I decided to make these purchases since my girlfriend has expressed an interest in "Re-Taking Up Geocaching", we really haven't done it in a while (Since '02), and its such a great outdoor activity. The original point in making these purchases was the ease at which you can add Geocaches into the unit directly from the website with a single mouse click. She was having trouble getting used to adding the co-ordinates into the old Garmin Legend with that tiny joystick, it was VERY TEDIOUS.
So now she has the Dakota 20, and I have the Oregon 550, and we can easily transfer geocaches back and forth wirelessly, and it is easy as pie to download them from [...].
To me, these new Garmins are a huge upgrade from my old "Legend", and they are waterproof and rugged as ever.
I would have given this product 5 stars had it not been for the couple of small glitches, which I expect will be fixed in the future via a firmware update / map update from Garmin.
Truely.. the new touchscreen Garmin units are to GPS's, as the iPhone is to mobile phones. In a class by itself.

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The navigator with the photographic memory--Oregon 550 combines rugged outdoor touchscreen navigation with a 3.2 megapixel digital camera. Add high-sensitivity GPS, barometric altimeter, 3-axis electronic compass and microSD card slot. The result? A multipurpose device that will make your biggest adventures even more memorable.


Take Pictures and Save Locations Capture locations and memories with Oregon 550's 3.2 megapixel autofocus digital camera with 4x digital zoom. Each photo is automatically geotagged with the location of where it was taken, allowing you to navigate back to that exact spot in the future. Snap and view pictures in landscape or portrait orientation. With 850 MB of internal memory, you'll never miss a photo opportunity. To store online, simply connect Oregon 550 via USB and log into my.Garmin.com to upload and store your photos at Picasa, a popular online photo sharing community for friends and families around the world. For more storage, insert a microSD card; you can even view pictures from other devices on microSD with Oregon's picture viewer.

Touch and Go Oregon 550 makes rugged navigation effortless with a tough, 3-inch diagonal, sunlight-readable, color touchscreen display. The interface is easy to use, so you'll spend more time enjoying the outdoors and less time searching for information. Both durable and waterproof, Oregon 550 is built to withstand the elements. Bumps, dust, dirt, humidity and water are no match for this rugged navigator.

Get Your Bearings Oregon 550 has a built-in 3-axis tilt-compensated electronic compass, which shows your heading even when you're standing still, without holding it level. Its barometric altimeter tracks changes in pressure to pinpoint your precise altitude, and you can even use it to plot barometric pressure over time, which can help you keep an eye on changing weather conditions. And with its high-sensitivity, WAAS-enabled GPS receiver and HotFix satellite prediction, Oregon 550 locates your position quickly and precisely and maintains its GPS location even in heavy cover and deep canyons.

Add Maps Oregon 550 comes preloaded with a worldwide built-in basemap with shaded relief. Adding even more detail is easy: just insert a MapSource microSD card preloaded with detailed maps. Oregon can accept a variety of maps for any navigational need. Add detailed street maps to get turn-by-turn directions to your destination. Add select topographic maps to take advantage of Oregon's 3-D maps and elevation detail. Or add BlueChart g2 maps, which provide everything you need for a great day on the water, including depth contours, navaids and harbors.

Find Fun Go paperless with Oregon 550 by quickly downloading information from Geocaching.com for up to 5000 caches, such as location, terrain, difficulty, hints and description. No more manually entering coordinates and paper print outs. Slim and lightweight, Oregon is the perfect companion for all your outdoor pursuits.

Share Wirelessly With Oregon 550 you can share your waypoints, tracks, routes and geocaches wirelessly other Oregon and Colorado users. Now you can send your favorite route to a friend to enjoy or the location of a cache to find. Sharing data is easy. Just touch "send" to transfer your information to similar devices.

What's in the Box Oregon 550, AA battery charger, 2 AA NiMH batteries, carabiner clip, USB cable, owner's manual on disk, and quick start manual


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Garmin Edge 500 Cycling GPS with Speed/Cadence Sensor and Digital Heart Rate Monitor Review

Garmin Edge 500 Cycling GPS with Speed/Cadence Sensor and Digital Heart Rate Monitor
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This is a great bike computer with tons of amazing features. My only complaint about the unit itself is that the screen quality could be improved. It is not clear and easy to read - especially when you just want to glance down and see information. You really need to take your eyes off of the road for a moment or two to figure out what fields you are viewing and what they say.
I have not had any problems at all with the function of the unit. It easily found satelites and is pretty obvious how to configure. I really like the ability to connect this to my computer after rides and keep a detailed log of my rides. I gave the software three stars because it is very buggy and still quite rough around the edges.
I purchased the Garmin Heart Rate Monitorseparately. I do not have the Garmin GSC 10 Speed/Cadence Bike Sensor- it seems unnecessary for me. I don't really have a need to monitor my cadence and the speed measurements from the gps are very accurate - even on trails under pretty heavy foliage. I don't use this on a trainer.
I would strongy suggest that anyone who is considering this purchase make sure they visit the Garmin Edge 500 Forum on the Garmin website. You will learn more there than you ever wanted to know about the device. The DC Rainmaker blog also has an excellent detailed write-up.
As far as size, it is roughly the same size as my old Planet Bike Protege 9.0 9-Function Bike Computer with 4-Line Display and Temperature. The mount couldn't be easier. It uses two rubber bands to attach the base to the handlebars or stem. The unit locks into the base with a 90 degree twist - very easy and secure. It comes with tons of extra bands and I threw an extra set in my seat bag - just in case.

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Sharpen your cycling performance with Edge 500, a lightweight GPS-based cycling computer for performance-driven cyclists. Loaded with data, Edge 500 tracks your distance, speed, location and elevation with high sensitivity GPS. Add an ANT+ compatible heart rate monitor, speed/cadence sensor or compatible power meter for a finely-tuned analysis of your ride.

Bundle Version This version of the Edge 500 includes a Heart Rate Monitor and Speed/Cadence Sensor, to get you going right out of the box.

Jumpstart Your Training The Edge 500 attaches easily to the stem or handlebars of your bike with its low-profile bike mount. The Edge attaches easily to the mount with a simple quarter-turn. When you're ready to ride, just power on your Edge, acquire GPS satellites and go. Edge 500 features a high-sensitivity GPS receiver with HotFix satellite prediction to calculate your position faster.

Get the Data You Need During your ride, Edge 500 measures your speed, distance, time, calories burned, altitude, climb and descent, and records this data for your review. For extra-precise climb and descent data, Edge 500 also incorporates a barometric altimeter to pinpoint changes in elevation.

All Edge 500 versions work with third-party ANT+-enabled power meters to display your power output in watts as you ride. This valuable data shows you how hard you're working, regardless of conditions affecting your ride, so you can train smarter. This particular version ships with a digital heart rate monitor and speed/cadence sensor.

Other helpful training features include a Courses feature, which helps you compare successive rides over the same route, as well as Auto Pause, Auto Lap and temperature readings. Edge also alerts you if you're moving, but the timer is not running.

Track Your Heart Rate When paired with the included Garmin heart rate monitor, Edge 500 tracks heart beats per minute and uses your heart rate for advanced calorie computation, so you know how many calories you're burning. Train in a certain heart-rate zone to improve your fitness level or compare your pace and heart rate to past performance over the same ride.

Analyze Your Ride Once your ride's done, connect Edge 500 to your computer with the included USB cable to analyze your performance. With a simple click, you can join a worldwide network of cyclists and outdoor enthusiasts through Garmin Connect, a one-stop site for data analysis and sharing.

What's in the Box Edge 500, Heart Rate Monitor and Speed/Cadence Sensor, Bike Mount, AC Charger, USB Cable, Owner's Manual on Disk, Quick Start Manual


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Suunto X-Lander Wrist-Top Computer Watch with Altimeter, Barometer, Compass, and Chronograph Review

Suunto X-Lander Wrist-Top Computer Watch with Altimeter, Barometer, Compass, and Chronograph
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I recently ordered this watch from Amazon as a companion for a LTt Observer to wear in the field. While the Observer is a more updated model they both share very similiar features and ease of operation.
My first recommendation is that you do order this from amazon.com and be wary of the same item offered by "market place sellers". At the time I initially placed the order amazon.com was out and the wait was estimated to be 3 to 5 weeks. Since the item was also offered by another seller in amazon's referral system I placed an order and wound up with the wrong watch; turns out the market place seller didn't carry the black face model. Fortunately amazon got a supply in and shipped my watch within 24 hours....good service. The black face is a little hard to come by.
Now then, to the watch itself. First of all it IS big...but very light; almost as light as the titanium Observer I have. The larger face makes it easier to read and Suunto has apparently gone back to the leather (waterproof) band, which I prefer. Functionally, the watch is a full blown time keeper and (non GPS) navigation system including stop watch/chronometer functions, an accurate altimeter, a barometer and digital compass. Both the compass and the altimeter are as accurate as I've found in analog portable units. The alarms are sufficiently loud (unlike the only chink in the Observer) and my only criticism is that the back light is weak compared to the Observer, but that fault doesn't draw anything away from the 5 star rating. Add the user replaceable battery (Suunto makes a kit that includes the battery, a water/dust seal and a new cap), the intuitive operating system and you have the ultimate back country time piece.
Suunto was the first to offer this type of time piece and, in my opinion, still offers the best. I've used their diving computers and field compasses for years and am a fan of the company's many products. I don't think there's a clunker in the catalog.

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The ultimate option for the outdoor enthusiast, the silver Suunto X-Lander wrist-top computer offers an accurate altimeter, a complete barometer, a precise electronic compass, and a multifunction sports watch in a single elegant package. Regardless of your excursion--whether it's climbing mountains, riding a muddy bike track, or skiing off piste--you need accurate, real-time information about your surroundings to pull off a successful trip. The X-Lander contributes by not only providing important data, but also keeping track of your activities so you can make rational decisions at key moments. In addition, the watch is user-friendly and solidly built, with a non-allergenic aluminum casing, a carbon-fiber back, a durable mineral crystal glass, and a water-resistant fabric strap.
The built-in altimeter, which boasts a range of up to 29,500 feet, puts all 14 of the world's 8,000-plus-meter summits within the avid climber's range. Among the altimeter's functions are an altitude measurement function that lets you follow the vertical progress between stages, an automatic 24-hour memory that stores the altitude and ascent/decent rate for every hour, and an adjustable altitude alarm. Climbers will also dig the logbook function, which lets you record total and cumulative vertical ascents and descents as well as the number of runs skied.
The X-Lander also displays the current barometric pressure and temperature--a must for activities in which weather plays a factor. The device automatically records barometric data for the previous four days, with the first six hours manifested in one-hour intervals and the rest in six-hour intervals. When the reference altitude is set correctly, the instrument also displays the present sea level pressure, which makes it easier to read and understand the barometric pressure at high altitudes.
And few things are more important when exploring unfamiliar territory than a compass. The X-Lander's electronic compass contributes by guiding you with cardinal or half- cardinal points and a North-South arrow. The compass can also be set to track a certain bearing, which helps you follow a chosen direction. Meanwhile, the unit's declination adjustment function allows you to correct the difference between true North and magnetic North.
In addition to the variety of outdoor functions, the X-Lander also displays normal time, with such add-ons as three daily alarms, a calendar programmed to the year 2089, a stopwatch with split-time measurement, and a countdown timer. Other features include a durable negative LCD display, a user-replaceable battery, and water-resistance to 100 feet. The X-Lander is backed by a two-year warranty on parts and labor.
What's in the Box? X-Lander wrist-top computer, battery, user's manual.


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Garmin Edge 705 GPS-Enabled Cycling Computer (Includes Heart Rate Monitor) Review

Garmin Edge 705 GPS-Enabled Cycling Computer (Includes Heart Rate Monitor)
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(More customer reviews)
Garmin Edge 705 HRM Outdoor Fitness GPS with Heart Rate Monitor
Executive Summary: If you are looking for a complete solution to HR, power, Cyclo computer and GPS with great usability, Garmin 705 is for you. The 705 retains the 305's ability to record data indoors as well as outside. Additionally, the 705 is compatible with the 305 rear wheel speed / cadence transmitter. Mapping is good, but roadies rarely need directional assistance. Basic cyclo computer functions are perfect and are easy to configure. Great user interface and controls - on and off the bike. Easy to see and adjust the color screen's intensity. No problem with interference from other HR monitors or other Garmin users.
Down side (the reason I rated this a 3 and not a 5):
1) (Not Garmin's fault) Power Tap is not yet compatible with the ANT+ communication protocol and the Quark power meter (which IS compatible) will not work for Shimano & Campy cranks. Major disappointment! Cannot test the power meter integration.
2) Motion Based / Garmin Connect data upload sites: While Motion Based was an adequate site to collect and analyze ride data; it was never as good as the Polar software / Web site. Garmin is in the middle of moving its fitness uploads from the Motion Based website (supposed to happen in May?) to the Garmin Connect website. Either Garmin / Motion based are completely inept at web site development management or they have not resourced the project appropriately. Garmin connect has a slick appearance but still lacks the meat of Motion Based and when compared to Polar is completely inadequate for analyzing ride data. The site lacks a GREAT deal of data reporting and presentation features to make it useful to even us amateur cyclists.
3) Garmin needs work on its drivers for the 705 - Windows Vista in general and the 64 bit version in particular. (I did not downgrade them for this; I was dumb enough to buy into Microsoft's hype and choose Vista 64). No clue on how the drivers work for Mac.
4) Still no ambient temperature available measurement available on the 705. In fact the Motion Based feature that associated weather with a particular ride was not activated for the first three weeks I had the 705. One day, out of the blue it started working - but only on the Motion Based Site; it is still not there in any form for the Garmin Connect Site.
Bottom Line: Garmin has done its job in creating a great combo HR, Power, cyclo computer and GPS receiver. Arguably, the greatest selling point of the device is the ability to integrate power data with other cycling data; unfortunately Garmin partnered with high end provider (SRM) and the new low cost provider (Quark) for power data instead of driving a natural relationship with the more popular Power Tap. Additionally, they have not invested enough resources to create even a reasonable data collection site / software to adequately use all the data collected by the 705. My recommendation is buy it, go without integrated power until Power Tap get its act together and invest in the Training Peaks software to upload the wealth of meaningful data that is collected by this wonderful device.

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Trainer. Navigator. Edge 705 pushes you to do your best, then shows you the way back. This GPS-enabled cycle computer knows no limits.Edge 705 comes with a microSD card slot for adding map detail and storing workouts, courses and saved rides. Also included is a wireless heart rate monitor to measure your heart rate and track your heart rate zone, operating with Garmin's innovative ANT + Sport wireless technology. Edge 705 automatically measures your speed, distance, time, calories burned, altitude, climb and descent, and records this data for your review. Connected to your computer via USB, you can then download your workout data, analyze it and store it. You can even share it wirelessly with other Edge 705 buddies without being near the computer. When it comes to the curve of workout technology, Garmin takes you to the Edge.

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Garmin Edge 705 GPS-Enabled Cycling Computer (Includes Heart Rate Monitor, Speed/Cadence Sensor, and SD Card with Street Maps) Review

Garmin Edge 705 GPS-Enabled Cycling Computer (Includes Heart Rate Monitor, Speed/Cadence Sensor, and SD Card with Street Maps)
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I've had my 705 for about 3 weeks and have used it on over 400 miles of bike training. It's a great bike computer - very easy to setup, lots of data available, but only the data you decide to have on each screen. The GPS and in-unit maps are great. Installation is also easy since the sensor is wireless.
The Garmin Training Center software (Windows version in my case) is okay, but appears to have only basic integration with the 705 so far. GTC is a separate, but free, download from the Garmin site. Hopefully future versions will provide more/better 705 integration.
Something to watch out for as it isn't mentioned in the 705 docs or on the Garmin site, if you buy the 705 with the map card, those detailed maps will only be available in the 705, not in GTC. If you want detailed maps in GTC, you have to buy a PC/Mac version of the very same maps you have on the 705. That's another $100-130 on top of the $600-700 you just spent on the 705. Why? Ask Garmin.

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